History of EarCommunity.org and Microtia & Atresia Support Group

Stephen Weiss, a CPA in Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania was excited to upgrade his current hearing device to a newer model. When Stephen upgraded, he wanted to donate his current hearing device to a charity organization where his hearing device could go on to help someone else hear better. After receiving his new Oticon Medical Ponto […]

Ear Community is honored to introduce everyone to our latest Oticon Medical Ponto 3 Superpower hearing device recipient, adorable Kavya Sharma! Kavya is almost two years old and lives in New Delhi, India with her father Ajay and mother Savita. Kavya was born with bilateral Microtia and Atresia, as well as Hemifacial Microsomia and a […]

Hi Everyone! Our National Microtia Awareness Day bracelets are now available for purchase through our organization’s website at: www.EarCommunity.org/donate This is a fund raiser for our organization. We have a secure link for making a credit card donation. In the DESCRIPTION LINE, you can briefly put what you would like of the items below. *** Order […]

Hi Everyone! Our National Microtia Awareness Day items are now available for purchase through our organization’s website at: www.EarCommunity.org/donate This is a fund raiser for our organization. We have a secure link for making a credit card donation. In the DESCRIPTION LINE, you can briefly put what you would like of the items below. *** […]

by Matt Batcheldor | Thursday, Jun. 8, 2017, 10:16 AM Having a child born without an external ear or ear canal can be a scary and confusing experience for parents, and finding medical care for the rare condition has meant having to travel to several distant medical centers for treatment options. But now the Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center […]

Ear Community is excited to share this sweet story about a little boy named Malosi Sualua who was born with Left Microtia and Atresia. Malosi is 4 and lives in Laguna Beach, CA with his two older sisters and parents, Heidi and Leie. Malosi means “strength” in Samoan and his mother, Heidi, says that the […]

Karen Smith, Executive Director of the Broomfield Community Foundation, is retiring this fall. Karen was my mentor who guided me and taught me how to run a nonprofit organization, how to run our Ear Community Organization. I will never forget the day when I met with her to tell her about my passion for wanting […]

Ear Community is thrilled to introduce you to Joan Yirenkyi. Joan is a beauty at 27 years old and lives in Greensboro, North Carolina with her family. She was born with Treacher Collins Syndrome along with Microtia and Atresia of her left ear and other birth defects. Being born with craniofacial abnormalities such as Treacher […]

Please meet one of our cutest Ear Community members, Daniel Alejandro, from Mexico. Daniel was born on July 14th 2014 to his wonderful parents Patricia and Daniel. From the first moment of his precious life, he was admitted into the neonatal intensive care unit and stayed there for an agonizing two months. During that time, […]

Ear Community Organization Timeline Some may wonder how does a nonprofit get started. Here is the timeline story of how the Ear Community Organization became a nonprofit organization after beginning as an online support group. September 2009, Melissa Tumblin’s daughter was born and she couldn’t find the answers she was looking for about why her child […]

AudiologyOnline News Release The mission of AudiologyOnline is to enhance the quality of life for the patients and clients in the care of the professionals we serve. We support this mission by: Providing the most relevant, convenient, and economical continuing education opportunities presented and authored by the leading experts in their respective professions to enhance […]

Ear Community is proud to introduce Mazie Herzing, our newest Baha recipient! She was born last July and diagnosed with Microtia and Atresia of her right ear and Hemifacial Microsomia. She lives with her big sister, twin brother, and parents Carly and Shelley in Richmond, Virginia, USA. When Mazie was first diagnosed, her parents were […]

2017 Ear Community Microtia and Atresia Summer Family Picnics Ear Community hosts picnics every year around the world helping bring Microtia and Atresia families together. This year’s picnics will take place in the United States in Annapolis, Maryland/ Austin, Texas/ Broomfield, Colorado/ Nashville, Tennessee/ Ardsley, New York/ and Fort Pierce, Florida! It is very exciting for many […]

We are excited to introduce you to Raheeg Abdelrahman, a lovely four-year-old girl who lives in Sudan with her younger twin siblings, her mother, and her father Eltahir. She was born with bilateral Microtia and Atresia, her father said that they couldn’t find a hearing device in Sudan so they traveled two days to Egypt […]

On Wednesday, November 9th, 2016, the Ear Community Organization launched and celebrated the very first National Microtia Awareness Day that took place throughout the United States. Families from all over were truly excited to finally have a national day to celebrate, helping promoting awareness and education about Microtia and Atresia. In fact, many amazing moments […]

Meet Astrid De La Cruz Chinchilla from Fairfax, Virginia. Astric is a beautiful 13 year old girl who was born with grade 3 Microtia and Atresia of her right ear originally from Guatemala. Astrid loves being around her friends and enjoys school, but is struggling with hearing everyone in conversations. Astrid’s mother, Maria, is very […]

Interview with Melissa Tumblin, Founder of Ear Community AudiologyOnline: Congratulations on getting November 9 officially recognized as National Microtia Awareness Day. Why was having a national day for microtia awareness important to you? Melissa Tumblin: It is the intention of Microtia Awareness Day to help promote public awareness. As the mother of a child who has […]

MICROTIA AWARENESS DAY – November 9 MICROTIA AWARENESS DAY November 9th is dedicated to spreading hope and knowledge concerning a congenital birth defect,which derives its name from the Latin terms for little ears. Mark the calendar for Microtia Awareness Day for November 9th and think of the number 9 as the shape of an ear. Approximately […]

The most powerful family of abutment-level processors In bone anchored hearing when it comes to audibility and understanding, power is everything. That’s why we are proud to present Ponto 3, the world’s most powerful abutment-level sound processor family. Ponto 3 gives you premium sound quality – even if you have a larger hearing loss. Find […]

Meet Afsheen Fathima, a beautiful little girl from India, who now lives with her mother and father in Henrico, Virginia (USA). Afsheen is now 2.5 years old who was born with Microtia and Atresia of her left ear. She was also born with scoliosis. Afsheen is a sweet little girl who is excited to begin […]

Meet Cailin O’Hern from Richmond Hill, Georgia. Cailin just graduated from the twelfth grade as a home-schooled student. Cailin was born with Microtia and Atresia of her right ear. Cailin says that having Microtia and Atresia was challenging for her over the years as she often felt awkward and self-conscious when asked about her ear. […]

Meet little Arkin Silutan Lerio, a 10 month old adorable baby boy from Las Pinas City in the Philippines. Arkin was born with grade III bilateral Microtia and Atresia. When Arkin was two months old, Arkin’s mom, Jhoan Silutan Hernandez, took him to an ENT specialist so that he could have an ABR hearing test […]

Meet Meghan Barr from Abilene, Texas. Meghan is 20 years old and was born with Microtia and Atresia of her right ear. Meghan says that living with Microtia and Atresia has had its ups and downs, but with the support of her parents, family and friends, it has allowed her to accept living with Microtia […]

Meet Jessica Gonzalez from El Paso, Texas. Jessica is 28 years old and was born with Microtia and Atresia of her right ear. Jessica never asked why she couldn’t hear from her right ear while she was growing up or why she was born this way until recently when a couple of her college professors […]

Meet little Lyla Begaye who was born ten months ago with Microtia and Atresia of her left ear. Lyla and her family live in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. When Lyla was born, a newborn hearing test was conducted, but the hospital continued to test Lyla up to three times until she passed the newborn hearing screening. […]

Meet Emilia Drago from Geismar, Louisiana. Emilia is a beautiful one and a half year old little girl who was born with Microtia and Atresia of her right ear and mild hemifacial microsomia. When Emilia was born, doctors did not know what to tell her parents regarding her being born with Microtia and Atresia. Doctors […]

June 23, 2016 – Oticon Medical today previewed the new Ponto SuperPower, the first abutment-level sound processor with a fitting range down to 65 dB HL (BC). Oticon Medical developed the innovative SuperPower processor with the goal of enabling adults and children with higher degrees of mixed hearing loss to benefit from a discreet sound […]

Update on the Ear Community Organization’s website: The Ear Community Organization’s website is now www.EarCommunity.org However, the www.EarCommunity.com will continue to be owned by the Ear Community Organization and will be redirected to the .org domain address. All website visitors who visit our .com domain address will automatically be redirected to the .org address. Thanks! Melissa […]

On Wednesday, May 18th, 2016, Fox31 News DENVER aired a clip on the Ear Community Organization that helped promote public awareness about Microtia and Atresia and hearing loss for “Better Hearing and Speech Month” for the month of May. The Ear Community Organization has helped thousands of families since 2010 all over the world who […]

On Wednesday, May 11th, 2016, Melissa and Sophia Shemanski, members of the Microtia and Atresia Support Group (an online support group run by the Ear Community Organization…a charitable organization that helps individuals born with Microtia and Atresia all over the world), helped promote public awareness and education about Microtia and Atresia and hearing loss. Sophia […]

Ear Community would like to thank our amazing sponsors for helping make our Ear Community Microtia and Atresia family picnics possible once again this summer! At our Ear Community picnics, you will not only be given an amazing opportunity to meet other families in the same situation who have Microtia and Atresia, but you will […]

The Ear Community Organization is a charitable nonprofit that hosts picnics every year around the world helping bring Microtia and Atresia families together. Ear Community events are always FREE with lunch being provided and lots of fun entertainment for the kids. Ear Community’s amazing sponsors will be joining us at our wonderful picnics helping us learn […]

Whether you are just beginning your hearing loss journey or are an experienced traveler on the road to better hearing, Ida Telecare, a new suite of online tools, makes it easier for you to successfully manage everyday communication and important decisions related to your hearing. Developed by the non-profit Ida Institute, Ida Telecare is a […]

No surgery, seamless fit with existing abutments for unprecedented freedom of choice in bone anchored hearing solutions SOMERSET, NJ February 8 — Oticon Medical announced today that it has obtained 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market the Ponto Abutment Extension. The new abutment extension seamlessly connects to existing abutments so users […]

Meet Joel Orozco, a freshman attending California State University, Fullerton. Joel was born with Microtia and Atresia of his left ear. Joel always had a positive outlook on life and always fit in with his classmates when he was younger and enjoyed playing on the playground with his peers. However, during middle school he struggled […]

Meet YuXi Sun Todd. YuXi is a beautiful seven year old girl who was born in Beijing, China, but is now a citizen living in the United States. YuXi was born with bilateral Microtia and Atresia and has lived in an orphanage in China since three months of age. On May 22nd, 2015, YuXi was […]

On December, 18th, 2015, Melissa Tumblin, Founder of the Ear Community Organization, was presented with a $10,000 grant by Julia Patrick, a representative of the Resort2Kindness Organization, a nonprofit organization that spreads kindness and generosity in Colorado. Originally, Melissa thought she was attending a lunch interview for being one of the three finalists for this […]

Today is Giving Tuesday! While the Ear Community Organization may be headquartered in Colorado, we help children and adults with Microtia and Atresia all over the United States and in many countries across the world! Ear Community brought together over 1,000 people this year at our events held in Australia, Denmark, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Washington, and […]

A Truly New Perspective on Tissue Preservation Copenhagen, DK November 30 — Oticon Medical has long recognized the benefits of tissue preservation surgery in bone anchored hearing surgery for reducing post- op complication and improving cosmetic outcomes. This week, Oticon Medical introduced a further refinement of the proven tissue preservation surgery for use with the company’s Ponto System. The […]

Copenhagen, DK November 30 — Oticon Medical introduces the Ponto BHX Implant, the first implant with a laser-ablated titanium surface that promotes a faster and stronger bonding to bone and increases the strength of the bone-to- implant interface by more than 150%.1 The FDA-cleared Ponto BHX Implant is a perfect match between Oticon Medical’s proven OptiGrip™ geometry and […]

Meet Krissia Lopez Romero. Krissia is a beautiful little eight year old girl who was born with bilateral Microtia and Atresia. While Krissia was born in El Salvador, she now lives with her family in Falls Church, Virginia (USA). Unfortunately, since Krissia was born in El Salvador, she does not qualify for Medicaid and her […]

Camilla Gilbert of Cincinnati, Ohio is among the outstanding individuals with hearing loss honored by the 2015 Oticon Focus on People Awards, a national competition that celebrates individuals who are helping to eliminate negative stereotypes of what it means to have a hearing loss. As the First Place Winner in the Advocacy Category, Camilla was […]

Meet Lebo Pretty Ndladla from Shongwe Mission in South Africa. Little Lebo is 6 years old and was born with bilateral Microtia and Atresia including Treacher Collins Syndrome. While Lebo is surrounded by much love from her family in the small village they live in, Lebo still struggles to hear her family and friends communicating […]

A Guide for Making Informed Decisions for Bone Anchored Hearing Systems Selecting the hearing solution that’s right for you or your child requires research and understanding of the technology that makes each solution unique. While audiologists, ENTs and doctors can help guide you, it’s important to understand your options and advocate for what you want […]

Course #26259 On Tuesday, October 13th, 2015, at 12 noon EDT, a live accredited online webinar will be offered to Audiologists and hearing device dispensers. This course is FREE to the public and to any individuals or families who are interested in learning more about the Oticon Medical Ponto Plus BAHS (Bone Anchored Hearing System) […]

Meet Michael and Damian Mosley of Mableton, Georgia. Michael is nine years old and was born with bilateral Microtia and Atresia and his brother, Damian, is almost 2 years old, born with Microtia and Atresia of his left ear. Michael and Damian’s father, Nathanael, also has Microtia and Atresia. Michael and Damian’s parents, Sarah and […]

Meet Adam Kozuszek, a freshman entering his first year of college at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Adam comes from a long history of farmers and he enjoys being a big brother to his two younger sisters, Sarah and Clara. Adam was born with Microtia and Atresia of his right ear, but his hearing […]

Every now and then you meet someone in your life who just understands what it is that you are trying to do and they embrace you. A special someone who wants to help you because they see a certain passion in you. A certain someone who chooses to take you under their wing providing guidance […]

Oticon Medical is pleased to announce the launch of the FIRST SOFT HEALING CAP on the market. The healing cap is intended to be attached to the abutment during the soft tissue healing period after a bone anchored implant surgery to hold the dressing in place and act as protective mechanical barrier. Consequently, the new soft healing […]

Meet Reyna Guzman-Marroquin, a 2.5 year old toddler born with unilateral Microtia and Atresia of her right ear. Reyna lives in Fort Morgan, Colorado and is your typical little girl who is fun spirited and excited to begin talking and singing. Shortly after Reyna was born, her mom, Magdalena Marroquin-Ramirez, began noticing that Reyna wasn’t […]

Meet Nicole Pintac of Minot, North Dakota. Nicole is a twenty year old beautiful young lady who was born with Microtia and Atresia of her right ear. When Nicole was younger, she did have reconstructive ear surgery on her right ear (rib graft), but she still struggled with her hearing. Nicole works at a […]

Meet Luca Brooks, a one and a half year old sweet baby boy from Burke, Virginia. Luca has bilateral Microtia and Atresia and has been diagnosed with Branchio-Oto-Renal Syndrome. Luca was born premature (at 34 weeks) and spent his first days in the NICU. Today, Luca is full of energy and one of the happiest […]

Meet Annika Silang-Ferrer from the Philippines. Little Annika is 4.5 years old and was born with grade III Microtia and Atresia of her right ear. Annika is a beautiful girl who is very happy and has one of the brightest smiles you will ever see. Annika looks forward to everyday and carries on playing with […]

New Oticon Medical Streamer and ConnectLine App Allow Users of Ponto Plus Bone Anchored Sound Processor to Connect to iPhone, iPad and iPod touch Oticon Medical announces the launch of the Oticon Medical Streamer and ConnectLine App that will enable Ponto Plus sound processor users to control their bone anchored hearing solutions with just a […]

Meet little Hudson Yost, born with Microtia and Atresia of his left ear and Hemifacial Microsomia. Hudson is 4.5 years old and lives in China with his adoptive parents, Dave and Tammi Yost. Hudson is full of energy and is quick to be friends with everyone. He is always armed with a hug and a […]

Meet Andrew Perry, an almost 14 year old who was born with Treacher Collins and bilateral Microtia and Atresia. Andrew lives in Atlanta, Georgia with his father, Clyde, and his younger sister, Sara. Andrew enjoys spending time with his friends and family. However, Andrew struggles with hearing conversations and lessons in the school classroom due […]

2015 Ear Community Microtia and Atresia Summer Family Picnics Ear Community hosts picnics every year around the world helping bring Microtia and Atresia families together. This year’s picnics will take place in Australia, Denmark, Pennsylvania (USA), Colorado (USA), Washington (USA), and South Africa. It is very exciting for many families! Everyone enjoys attending our picnics […]

Hi Everyone! One of our support group members and a very dear friend of mine would like to share her story with all of us. Here it is: Hi, My name is Camilla Gilbert. I was born with a congenital deformity call Bilateral Microtia type III, whichaffected the outer ear not to fully develop. Furthermore […]

On Saturday, December 20th, 2014, a toy drive for Microtia and Atresia kids of Colorado was made possible by Jeramiah Penaflor, Zach Gulley, Robert Brehm, Brian Caldwell, Dina Voiselle, and Gary and Dawn Penaflor for the Ear Community Organization. Santa, played by Zach Gulley – Managing Parnter for the Bert and the Beard radio station, […]

In April of 2014, Max and Melissa Witt gave birth to a beautiful sweet baby boy named Clark. When Clark was born, he was originally diagnosed with having Goldenhar Syndrome and Hemifacial Microsomia. Clark was also born without his left ear due to having Microtia and a missing ear canal due to having Atresia, resulting […]

Would you like your child to receive a letter from Santa Clause and a stuffed elf/reindeer this holiday season? If so, Ear Community has teamed up with the North Pole this holiday season to do this very thing! Please visit http://www.santasentmeamessage.com/personalizedletterearcommunity.html and put a smile on your children’s faces this Christmas season with a special letter directly […]

Encourages Continuation of Awareness-Building among Key Groups and General Public SOMERSET, NJ November 5 –On October 31, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced via final rule that auditory osseointegrated implants (AOIs) are not hearing aids and therefore will remain a covered benefit for those Medicare enrollees with qualifying indications. For Oticon Medical, […]

Meet Randy Murray, a 65 year old from Michigan City, Indiana who was born with bilateral Microtia and Atresia. Randy has struggled most of his life with his hearing loss due to atresia (absence of ear canals). Over the years, as he has gotten older, Randy’s hearing has begun degrading, causing him to struggle even […]

Meet Derek Dwyer, a 22 year old from Snellville, Georgia, currently attending Gwinnett Technical College. Derek was born with Nager Syndrome and bilateral Microtia and Atresia and is the youngest of three siblings. Derek loves music and all things computer related since he is working toward a college degree in computer engineering and graphic design. […]

Meet Ava Katuszonek, an adorable little three year old girl who was born with Microtia and Atresia of her right ear. Ava is a very happy little girl who enjoys playing with friends and is excited to learn the alphabet and begin reading. However, when Ava was about one year old, her mom, Shannon, began […]

Meet Dustin Neerhof, a sweet little nine month old baby boy who was born with Microtia and Atresia of his left ear and hemifacial microsomia (diagnosed as having Goldenhar Syndrome). Dustin is a happy little boy who enjoys cooing and babbling with his identical twin brother and the two are quite the cute duo! Dustin […]

Meet Eliana Villanueva, a beautiful three year old little girl who was born with Microtia and Atresia of her right ear who lives in Riverbank, California. Eliana enjoys playing with her older brother and sister (Joey and Samantha) and is proud to be a mama’s girl, says her mother, Veronica. Eliana is also a very […]

July 22, 2014 Media Contact Kerri Lewandowski Public Relations Manager Cochlear Americas KLewandowski@Cochlear.com Life changing hearing solution may become unavailable for those in need; the public is encouraged to take action to support continued coverage of the Baha Implant System Centennial, Colo., (July 22, 2014) – Cochlear Limited (ASX: COH), the global leader in implantable hearing solutions, announced […]

Ear Community is proud to have been able to help Ivy Welsh get to Los Angeles, CA so she could have surgery for a newly reconstructed Medpor ear on May 17th, 2014. This was Ivy Welsh’s second surgery after living with a previously botched reconstructed ear from over seven years ago. This was her second […]

Meet little Milagro Alfaro who was born with Microtia and Atresia of her right ear. Milagro is four years old and also has Goldenhar Syndrome along with additional medical issues. Even though Milagro has better hearing in her left ear, she has struggled with chronic middle ear fluid that has impacted that ear’s access to […]

Oticon Medical has entered into a partnership with Bo Håkansson, PhD, Professor at Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden, for the future commercialization of the active transcutaneous Bone Conduction Implant (BCI). Prof. Håkansson is the inventor of the first bone anchored hearing aid and is one of the pioneers in direct bone conduction hearing systems […]

In 2009, a beautiful baby girl was born to Brent and Melissa Tumblin named Alyssa. This beautiful little girl was born missing her right ear (Microtia) and missing her ear canal (Atresia), resulting in hearing loss. Brent and Melissa tried to find answers through many doctors and ENTs and tried to learn why Ally […]

Hi Everyone! Ear Community is proud to host seven more Microtia and Atresia family picnics this summer. Last year, Ear Community hosted seven picnics that took place in Spain, the United Kingdom, and in the United States, helping bring almost 1,300 people together along with medical professionals and hearing device companies. Ear Community’s picnics welcome […]

Thank you to Dr. Matthew Carfrae of the University of Virginia for letting us know about Dr. Jahrsdoerfer’s passing. On Monday, Dr. Robert Jahrsdoerfer passed away. Dr. Jarsdoerfer was the one ENT/Otologist who developed the canalplasty technique. Many ENTs trained with Dr. Jahrsdoerfer, learning his skills to help restore hearing loss. Some ENT Otologists who […]

Meet Liza Orlovskaya, a beautiful and talented young lady who is 12 years old living in Moscow, Russia. Liza was born with bilateral Microtia and Atresia. Liza not only is a high achiever and enjoys going to school, but she competes in literary competitions and wins them. She also reads a lot and looks forward […]

Centennial, Colo., (December 3, 2013) – Cochlear Limited (ASX: COH), the global leader in implantable hearing solutions, announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared the Cochlear™ Baha® 4 Attract System for use in the United States. Cochlear is the only company to now offer patients a choice of either a magnetic or […]

Oticon Medical has obtained 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market Ponto Plus, our newest family of bone anchored sound processors. New Ponto Plus is available in regular and power versions that feature a new transducer, Inium feedback shield and new wireless capabilities. The new sound processors are designed for […]

On Tuesday, January 28th, Aaron Simko was fitted with a Cochlear Baha 4 bone conduction hearing device. Aaron is 29 years old and was born with Treacher Collins Syndrome and bilateral Microtia and Atresia. Aaron lives in Littleton, Colorado and works for Kingsoopers grocer as a lead cheese fromagier. Aaron noticed he was struggling with […]

Oticon Medical has obtained 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market Ponto Plus, our newest family of bone anchored sound processors. New Ponto Plus is available in regular and power versions that feature a new transducer, Inium feedback shield and new wireless capabilities. The new sound processors are designed for […]

Meet Alessandro Martinez who is 1.5 years old and was born with bilateral Microtia and Atresia. Alessandro and his family live in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Alessandro’s mother, Ana Mazariego, says that “Alessandro’s hearing loss is educationally handicapping. He is unable to hear normal conversational speech without some kind of amplification device.” She fears that he will […]

Meet little Guoyiyang from China, a handsome little three year old twin boy who was born with Bilateral Microtia and Atresia. Yiyang hasn’t been able to hear well since birth due to having Atresia in both ears. Yiyang’s family does not have health coverage and was unable to afford a hearing device for him. […]

Oticon Medical launches new Ponto Plus family of bone anchored sound processors Better hearing when patients need it most – new powerful transducer, Inium feedback shield, and new wireless possibilities In 2009, Oticon Medical advanced bone anchored hearing systems into the world of digital hearing technology. Now, the company brings significant new improvements to patients […]

November 5, 2013… “Cochlear is pleased to introduce the latest in bone conduction hearing — the Baha® 4 Sound Processor. It is the smartest, most advanced bone conduction sound processor ever created. In fact, at the heart of the new sound processor lies the powerful Ardium™ platform — three times faster, and with eight times […]

On Saturday, October 19th 2013, in San Diego, California, during the 3rd Annual Oticon Medical Patient Advocacy Conference, Alan Raffauf (VP of US Marketing for Oticon Medical) proudly presented Melissa Tumblin, Founder of Ear Community, with an award in recognition for her advocacy within the Microtia and Atresia community and for the opportunities and events […]

For audiologists and various medical professionals who are looking to obtain CEU credit, on Tuesday, October 15th, 2013, I will be presenting a webinar on Microtia and Atresia that is sponsored by the Educational Audiology Association. This presentation is 1.5 hours in length and will take place during 12pm NOON to 1:30PM (MDT/Colorado Time). This […]

Meet Lilly Byrd. This young spunky little girl was born with bilateral Microtia and Atresia and has one of the prettiest smiles on earth. When Lilly was eight months old, she had her first cleft palate repair. Things were better for a while, but the hole in the roof of her mouth opened again. She […]

Meet sweet Laura Lopez. Laura is from Salem, Oregon (United States) and is a Spanish speaking 13 year old who was born with bilateral Microtia and Atresia. Laura enjoys spending time with her family and is excited about becoming a teenager. Laura is a happy girl with a beautiful smile who lives for everyday […]

Meet Fabrizio and Fabiano Vega Silvestre from Lima, Peru. These two, adorable little one year old twins, are busy and on the go and are excited for their vocabulary to come in so they can start communicating. However, both Fabrizio and Fabiano were born with bilateral Microtia and Atresia. Fabiano was also born with […]

Meet Monique Hernandez. Monique is an undergraduate student in her last semester studying Psychology at Arizona State University. Monique was born with Microtia and Atresia of her left ear. Monique has not had reconstructive surgery and is unaided. Last year, Monique wasn’t sure if she would be able to complete her undergraduate degree because […]

Meet Joseph, an active seven year old boy in St. Charles, Missouri. Joseph was born with bilateral Microtia and Atresia in addition to being born with ASD. Right after Joseph’s first birthday, he had open heart surgery because of his ASD. Joseph’s lungs were also not fully developed as he was born four weeks […]

Meet Regan, a very sweet little boy who lives in North Dakota (USA) who is two years old and was born with Microtia and Atresia of his left ear. Regan was also born with Cornelia de Lange Syndrome, a syndrome that affects about 1 in 20,000 to 40,0000 births. Regan has been through a […]

On June 28th, 2013, Melissa Tumblin, Founder and Exeuctive Director of Ear Community, presented at the Educational Audiology Association in Scottsdale, Arizona at the Montelucia Resort. The EAA invited Melissa to present about Microtia and Atresia and unilateral hearing loss at the conference. The course was presented over a 1.5 hour duration and was offered […]

When Ivy Welsh was six years old, she wanted so badly to have a big girl ear because Ivy was born with Microtia and Atresia of her right ear. When Ivy’s mom, Nicole, had found a doctor who said he could make her a beautiful ear, she was very excited and couldn’t wait for her […]

On May 18, 2013, Ear Community proudly announced who the members are for its Advisory Board. “It has been a privilege and an honor to get to know each one of our Advisory Board members over the past three years and I am proud to have established such an amazing professional relationship with each and […]

Hello Everyone! On, Tuesday, April 23, 2013, I presented an educational session through AudiologyOnline (sponsored by Oticon Medical) about Microtia and Atresia discussing all options that are currently available along with sharing my own experience with Microtia and Atresia after my youngest daughter was born with Microtia and Atresia of her right ear. This […]

Hi Everyone! Ear Community is proud to host seven more Microtia and Atresia summer family picnics this summer around the world. Last year’s picnics that Ear Community hosted took place in Canada and in the United States and helped bring almost 1,000 people together. Ear Community’s picnics welcome Microtia and Atresia families and individuals (including […]

Meet Bear. Bear is two years old and lives in Atlanta, Georgia. Bear was born with bilateral Microtia and Atresia (born with Grade I Microtia of both ears and has no ear canals resulting in hearing loss). Bear is a very bubbly little boy who enjoys exploring life everyday. Even though Bear would carry on […]

AudiologyOnline – Webinar on Microtia and Aural Atresia April 23, 2013 at 11AM Eastern Daylight Time Session name: “Microtia/Aural Atresia: A Parent’s Perspective” Course #22141 Melissa Tumblin, Founder and Executive Director of Ear Community has been invited to host a webinar session through AudiologyOnline discussing Microtia and Aural Atresia that will take place on […]

Hi Everyone! As of April 12, 2013, Sophono, Inc.– manufacturer of abutment-free, implantable, bone conduction hearing devices – has received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). With the clearance, individuals in the United States who have the Sophono Alpha 2™ System can undergo MRI – in […]

Ear Community is proud to announce that Camilla Gilbert of Cincinnati, Ohio is the first recipient of an Ear Community college scholarship. Camilla was born with Grade III Bilateral Microtia and Atresia and has never had reconstructive surgery. Even though Camilla was born deaf, she says “fortunately my family was able to afford a bone […]

Meet Hazeeq. Hazeeq is two years old and lives in Malaysia. Hazeeq was born with bilateral Microtia and Atresia (born missing both ears and has no ear canals resulting in hearing loss). Hazeeq doesn’t let his Microtia and Atresia bring him down though. He loves playing with his two brothers and carries on just […]

Hi Everyone! Ear Community is proud to host seven more Microtia and Atresia summer family picnics this summer around the world. Last year’s picnics that Ear Community hosted took place in Canada and in the United States and helped bring almost 1,000 people together. Ear Community’s picnics welcome Microtia and Atresia families and individuals (including […]

Hi Everyone! In February of 2013, Dr. John Reinisch proudly launched his new website, http://www.drjohnreinisch.com/microtia/what-is-microtia/. Dr. Reinisch has nearly 35 years of experience in treating children with craniofacial deformities, cleft lips and palates, vascular tumors, pigmented birthmarks, and microtia (congenital deformity of the ear). He is known worldwide for his groundbreaking design and successful use […]

This is adorable little Evan Holley who is five years old and was born with bilateral Microtia and Atresia. Evan’s family could only provide him with one Baha (bone conduction hearing device) even though he needed two to hear best. Insurance coverage had denied their claim for a second Baha for Evan. On December 3rd, […]

On Monday, November 26, 2012, the Daily Camera newspaper featured an article on the front page of the ‘Local’ section about Ear Community and how Melissa’s work is helping give back to the community as a global nonprofit organization. ________________________________________________________ Growing Strong: Ear Community Charity Achieves Nonprofit Status By Megan Quinn Daily Camera Staff Writer […]

Hi Everyone! This is the latest article about Ear Community that was published in the Broomfield Enterprise this Sunday Morning, November 25, 2012, during Thanksgiving weekend. I know success does not happen over night, but little by little I hope to find the funding to help Ear Community grow the way that I would like […]

Hello Everyone, Many of us choose to donate to charities each and every year because they have either helped us or because we believe in their cause. Well, now we have Ear Community, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that directly helps the Microtia and Atresia community. I am one mom who is really trying to help […]

Hi Everyone! Below are the details for our 3rd Annual Secret Santa Gift Exchange… This is an international gift exchange, so you may be assigned an international friend. 🙂 The minimum to spend on a gift is $20 (USD). Please take into consideration that the cost of shipping a package to another country may cost […]

I am pleased to announce that as of August 16, 2012, Ear Community became a non profit organization. Ear Community will continue to help individuals, families, and medical professionals around the world learn more about Microtia and Atresia including their options along with advocacy. Ear Community is also a global organization and plans on helping […]

On Saturday, August 25, 2012, I, (Melissa Tumblin) – Founder of Ear Community and the Microtia and Atresia Support Group on Facebook, presented at the 2nd Annual Oticon Medical Patient Advocacy Conference in Somerset, New Jersey. I spoke about advocacy and how Ear Community (www.Ear Community.com) can help families and individuals with Microtia and Atresia […]

Hello Everyone, As of August 16, 2012, I am so very proud to announce that Ear Community became a 501 c3 non profit organization. I will be announcing details in the upcoming weeks and making some changes to our website along with listing our Tax ID Number. However, I would like to share with you […]

On Saturday, July 28, 2012, we hosted our Microtia and Atresia Summer Family Picnic in Pleasanton, California! We had nearly 200 people attend our picnic. A very special Thank You to Amy Gile and her family for hosting our picnic. Thank you Amy for also being my host family and allowing me to stay with […]

On Saturday, July 21st in Calgary, Alberta Canada, we had our 1st Microtia and Atresia summer family picnic (including families of Goldenhar Syndrome, Treacher Collins, and Hemifacial Microsomia loved ones). The day was beautiful and so was our park location. Cochlear and Oticon Medical proudly sponsored our picnic along with Handy Latino & Associates Carpet […]

On Saturday, July 21, 2012, I hosted our 2nd Annual Summer Picnic for Microtia and Atresia families (including Goldenhar Syndrome, Treacher Collins, and Hemifacial Microsomia families). Our Colorado Picnic was a huge success! Even though it was 100 degrees, we had close to 200 people attend (almost double the amount of people from last year’s […]

Hi Everyone, Today, my latest article was published by AudiologyOnline about Ear Community and Microtia and Atresia. I am thankful for the opportunity to have been interviewed by AudiologyOnline and I am honored to have been featured in an article by such a wonderful global organization. I founded Ear Community in 2012 and launched […]

Our Texas Microtia and Atresia Summer Family Picnic was a huge success. Even though it poured rain with thunder and lightening the entire time, close to 90 people had a wonderful time and still found a way to have fun and share experiences with one another. There were little girls hula hooping in the rain […]

With great pleasure I would like to thank Cochlear Americas, Oticon Medical and Sophono for sponsoring our summer picnic that was just held in Yonkers, New York for Microtia and Atresia families (including Hemifacial Microsomia, Treacher Collins and Goldenhar Syndrome families). Our event would not have been possible if it were not for our sponsors. […]

Hello Everyone! The HI HOPES Organization is a wonderful home intervention program that offers helpful services for early intervention, hearing loss and support for individuals and families who have Microtia and Atresia. There will be a very helpful and informative conference for families living in South Africa in June, 2012. This conference is called the Global […]

Hello Everyone! The HI HOPES Organization is a wonderful home intervention program that offers helpful services for early intervention, hearing loss and support for individuals and families who have Microtia and Atresia. There will be a very helpful and informative conference for families living in Italy in June, 2012. The Conference is called the NHS-Newborn […]

Hello Everyone, Today marks the 2 Year Anniversary for our global support group on Facebook, the Microtia and Atresia Support Group. Our support group has helped thousands of families and individuals around the world learn how to become better advocates and learn about all of their options. Our support group has become internationally recognized and […]

Hello Everyone, This morning, Sunday March 18th, 2012, a very nice story went out in the Sunday Morning Broomfield Enterprise news paper for our home community. Joe Rubino (Broomfield Enterprise Reporter) did a wonderful job relaying my feelings and points regarding helping promote public awareness about Microtia and Atresia and how the Ear Community website […]

Hello Everyone! On Thursday, March 8th at 4:30pm Mountain Standard Time (6:30pm Eastern Standard Time) for American and Canadian time zones, I will be hosting a global conference call to discuss Microtia and Atresia through the AboutFace Organization in Canada. Anyone around the world is welcome to join in on this call if you can […]

The following “thank you” was posted to our support group wall on Friday, February 17, 2012 by one of our support group members: “My daughter is 3 1/2years old and for the first time today I feel like we have direction and are getting somewhere with her microtia and atresia. This is all thanks to […]

On January 27, 2012, I received a call from an Early Intervention service provider called Chatter Pillar Kids in Denver asking to attend our summer picnic scheduled for July 21st and also inquiring about our group’s new website, Ear Community. Chatter Pillar Kids is an ideal organization as they provide speech, occupational, and physical therapy […]

On January 20, 2012, I was asked by a researcher and her committee of parent advocates if our new website and support group could be included in a new helpful resource guide that will soon be available. I am not only honored to have been asked for Ear Community to be included in this new […]

Also on January 16, 2012, I received an e-mail from AudiologyOnline, http://www.audiologyonline.com/, asking to link to our new website when it launches. What an honor to know that a global audiology organization is excited for our new website and appreciates the passion about hearing loss in our support group. Thank you Audiology Online for your […]

On January 16, 2012 I receive a message from an audiologist letting me know that our support group was “spotlighted” by the Educational Audiology Association, the EAA. This was very exciting news not just for our support group, but we also had over 20 audiologists join our group over the next couple of days. Thank […]

On December 21, 2011, I received an e-mail from Dr. Greg O’Toole of the UK (world renown Rib Graft surgeon) sharing some information with me including a video of one of his patients, named Ethan, who was born with Microtia. Thank you Dr. O’Toole for your kind message and for embracing our global support group. […]

On November 20, 2011, our support group turned 1.5 years old! When founded on May 20, 2010 I was our group’s first member. Since then, we have grown to have over 2,500 global members (including anonymous members) total. According to our support group’s Facebook statistics, we have had nearly 1 million post views in the […]

In November of 2011, I was invited to a meeting with marketing at Cochlear to discuss how Cochlear could help our support group. We discussed the global picnics and we also discussed the launch of the new website. Cochlear is excited to help our support group bring families together at our picnics too. It was […]

During the month of October, 2011, our support group hosts its 2nd Annual Secret Santa Gift Exchange. In 2011, our Secret Santa Gift Exchange became a global gift exchange. Our group also continues to become more and more global everyday helping families and medical professionals around the world.

On October, 26 2011, a group and I met with Donna Sorkin, Vice President of Consumer Affairs for Cochlear, George Cire (renown audiologist and BAHA expert), and Tara Oneill (insurance specialist for the rocky mountain region). Other members of the group at the meeting that night included Dr. Cheryl Johnson (one of Colorado’s top audiologists), […]

In October of 2011, I release my latest document called “10 Helpful Tips for BAHA Wearers” with members of our support group, medical professionals and additional support groups and helpful resources. This document received an overwhelming response by the community. I received numerous e-mails from audiologists, surgeons, medical professionals such as therapists and staff from […]

Also, in October of 2011, I have a meeting with Oticon Medical’s US Subsidiary Manager/President for the US. After a full day of discussing Microtia and Atresia and how to help promote awareness, Oticon’s president asked me what can Oticon do to help me with our support group. Along with a few other ideas, I […]

During the month of October in 2011, I receive news from Facebook that our group’s discussion area will be removed as they will be removing the “discussions” application on all groups and pages. Unfortunately, this is the area of our support group that holds the heart of our group’s information and resources. At this point, […]

On September 22, 2011 I had the opportunity to meet Dr. Brad Kesser and Dr. Burt Brent in person in between their scheduled presentations. I have to say that was such an honor for me to have met them. Both Dr. Brent and Dr. Kesser took the time to spend an hour with me and […]

In September, I receive a phone call from Agata Gelaberto of Regenear. We have a very nice 45 minute conversation about Regenear, a company that Agata and her husband have started in Spain that focuses on the biomedical engineering of ear cartilage for individuals with Microtia. Agata’s daughter has Microtia and has been diligently working […]

In September of 2011, I receive an e-mail from Dr. Cheryl Johnson (one of Colorado’s leading audiologists) letting me know that at an audiology conference she attended in California, Dr. Sheryl Lewin mentioned our support group as a helpful resource and touched on how open, warm and unbiased our group is.

On August 28, 2011 I share a comparative review on the three BAHA styles that Ally was able to trial. This comparative review not only discussed the Cochlear BP100/BAHA3, Oticon Medical Ponto Pro, and Sophono Alpha 1 (S) all on a soft band, but I touch on hearing loss and discuss audiograms/hearing evaluations and the […]

During the weekend of August 27th, 2011, Oticon invited my family to attend their 1st Patient Advocacy Conference in Chicago, Illinois. During this conference, my family and I learned more about the Ponto series sound processors and bone conduction technology. We were also given the opportunity to meet with 10 other families who all wear […]

In August of 2011, I receive a handful of e-mails from Denver Public Health and TriCounty Health Departments asking me if they can pass along my group’s information to families with Microtia and Atresia and to have their staff/personnel note our support group as a helpful resource for the deaf and hard of hearing. I […]

In June of 2011, I contacted the House Research Institute and had a very nice phone conversation with their education director. As of June, 2011, the House Research Institute agreed to add a link for our support group as a helpful resource on their website.

For three months I planned for our summer picnic. I drove around to at least thirteen grocery stores with Ally (when I found the time to do so) and information on letterhead about our support group asking for donations for our picnic. I was determined to bring Microtia and Atresia families together no matter what…even […]

In April, I was contacted by Chicago Hands & Voices along with one of our support group members and asked to be on a conference call with families who have children with Microtia and Atresia. Our conference call took place on April 18, 2011 and lasted for an hour and a half. I am always […]

On February 2, 2011, I contact Oticon Medical to share with them how our support group is a helpful resource for individuals with Microtia and Atresia and who have hearing loss. On this day I had an hour and a half conversation with Oticon’s Vice President of Marketing explaining the little bit of awareness Microtia […]

In January of 2011, I have a meeting with the Marketing Manager, the District Sales Manager, and the Vice President of Business Development for Sophono to discuss the newly released Alpha 1 system. We also discuss the lack of awareness about Microtia and Atresia.

In January of 2011, my first article is published in the 2011 Winter Issue of the National news letter, “The Communicator,” through the Hands & Voices Organization (www.handsandvoices.org). My article is called: Falling Through The Cracks With Microtia/Atresia and can be accessed under this website’s “About” section under “Our Story” and also at the following […]

In December of 2010, I receive an e-mail from a US military counselor asking if she could utilize our support group website as a means of educating US Military families stationed in Guam so they could know what options are available regarding Microtia and missing ears in general.

In December of 2010, I am contacted by Dr. Cheryl Johnson, one of Colorado’s top audiologists, and I am asked if she could utilize pictures of my daughter Ally wearing her BAHA for teaching her students in the classroom. Dr. Johnson also asks to pass along information about our support group to her students. Dr. […]

As of December 2010, both our family ENT and my OB/Gyn know about our support group and appreciate being updated on Microtia and Atresia. Both agreed to pass along the information about our support group to families and staff regarding children being born with Microtia and Atresia at Avista Adventist Hospital (where I delivered both […]

In October 2010, I am asked by Dr. Reinisch and Dr. Lewin’s office to send a Microtia survey through our support group to find out some FAQ (frequently asked questions) about Microtia that would help the office update their Microtia questionnaire.

In October of 2010, I am asked by the Hands & Voices Organization to write an article about my experience with Ally and her Microtia and Atresia. I am also invited to the Hands & Voices Gala where I am asked to speak about my experience with Microtia and Atresia as a parent advocate.

During the end of August/beginning of September, 2010, Ally receives her very first loaner BAHA. She began wearing the Cochlear Intenso on a pink soft band head band. When Ally was between 6 and 7 months of age, she was babbling and cooing. Suddenly, around 8 months of age…Ally just stopped. She would not acknowledge […]

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Microtia Picnic Photos

2011
1st Annual Denver, Colorado Picnic (USA)
DENVER, COLORADO
JUNE 11, 2011
For three months I planned for our summer picnic. I drove around to at least thirteen grocery stores with Ally (when I found the time to do so) and

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